Private security guards patrolling neighborhoods

HER MOM, SUSAN RICHARDSON, IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED CHILD NEGLECT AND IS IN THE ORANGE COUNTY JAIL. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS TEAMING UP WITH A PRIVATE COMPANY TO ENHANCE SECURITY. SHERIFF JERRY DEMINGS KICKED OFF THE CAMPAIGN TODAY. NEWS 6 REPORTER TROY CAMPBELL IS IN ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, AZALEA PARK. HE JOINS US NOW LIVE. THE COUNTY IS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS, RIGHT? YEAH, THIS ISN’T CHEAP. ALSO A VERY UNIQUE IDEA. WE’RE TOLD THE MONEY OF THIS LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND IS USUALLY USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT. BUT STARTING TODAY, IT’S THESE STREETS IN THE AZALEA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, PRIVATE ARMED SECURITY GUARDS, NOW PATROLLING, HOPING TO CUT DOWN ON CRIME BUT THE SHERIFF SAYS THIS IS ALL JUST A TEST RUN, ONLY LASTING A FEW MONTHS BUT COSTING WELL INTO THE SIX FIGURES. COMPARING THEM TO SECURITY GUARDS IN GATED COMMUNITIES, WEARING THESE UNIFORMS, ARMED WITH A HANDGUN. INCREASING PATROLS TO KEEP AN EXTRA EYE IN BOTH THE AZALEA PARK AND HOLDEN HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOODS. IF YOU GO INTO HIGH-END COMMUNITIES WHERE HOMES SIT BEHIND GATES, THE FIRST THING YOU OFTEN SEE WHEN YOU GET TO THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS. BACK IN OCTOBER, THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION APPROVED THE USE OF $150,000 FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND. MONEY COLLECTED FROM CRIMINAL FINES. SHERIFF JERRY DEMINGS SAYS THE AZALEA NEIGHBORHOOD ISN’T RIDDLED WITH CRIME BUT CHOSE THE AREA BECAUSE OF ITS RESIDENTS TAKING A PROACTIVE STAND TO WORK ALONGSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT. NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THIS MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO AUGMENT THE POLICE RESOURCES WITH PRIVATE SECURITY. WE’RE USING THE FORFEITURE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. THE SAME COMPANY THE COUNTY USES AT THE COURTHOUSE AND OTHER ADMINISTRATION OFFICES, EVEN THOUGH ARMED, THE SECURITY GUARDS ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE AN ARREST. THE COMMUNITY PATROLS ARE SET TO EXPIRE IN A FEW MONTHS WITH SHERIFF DEMINGS SAYING HOPEFULLY THE PARTNERSHIP CAN BE EXPANDED TO OTHER AREAS IN THE COUNTY. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO REDUCE CRIME AND THE FIRE OF CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION DURING THE PROCESS AND MAKE THE RESIDENTS HERE FEEL SAFER AS A COMMUNITY. AND WE’RE ALSO ASKING THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE WHO WOULD BE LIABLE IF A CITIZEN FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST ONE OF THESE PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS, SIMILAR TO IF A CITIZEN FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST A SHERIFF’S DEPUTY BECAUSE OF AN INTERACTION THEY HAD. HEAR WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT